WorldRemind SMS Gateway - FAQ

							WorldRemind SMS Gateway - FAQ

Flow Chart




                    SMS Gateway
SMS Server



                                                        SMS Center
  Database




                                            User             User        User



1. Why do we need your gateway?

Our SMS Gateway consists of a GSM Modem and proprietary SMS Software. No doubt
that you can buy a GSM modem off the shelf, most of them do not come with software
that interacts with the hardware.

Thus, WorldRemind is in the business to provide the software to system integrators,
corporations and individuals who are interested in the functionalities of SMS.


2. What is so different about your GSM software as compared to others in the
   market?

As one of the pioneers in GSM software research and development, we offer our
customers the most stable and cost-effective software, if not the best. Other vendors
might insist on bundling the application and SMS Gateway together, charging them in a
package. We offer an open infrastructure (ActiveX Control Module) for programmers to
develop application on it.
3. What are required to set up a SMS Gateway?

Below are the recommended hardware and software:

   •   Pentium PII 300
   •   64 MB RAM
   •   10 MB Free of Hard Disk Space
   •   One unused serial port
   •   Other necessities such as Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse and etc.
   •   Operating System: Windows 2000 (recommended for stability), Windows 98/NT
       supported

4. Does the SMS Gateway support more than one GSM modem?

Yes, as long as there is sufficient serial ports for the GSM modems. You can always
insert a Com Port Expander for more serial ports.


5. On 1 machine, what is the maximum number of modems supported by the SMS
   component?

With the help of Com Port Expander, it can supports up to 120. But our recommendation
is always 12 per machine.


6. Does your software perform load balancing for multiple modems?

Yes. In order to handle a modem farm, the SMS Gateway is designed to distribute SMS
request respectively. Multiple modems can be classified in multiple groups. As long as
the grouping identifier is specified correctly, the SMS Gateway will allocate the SMS
request to the available modem within the group.


7. Is the SMS Gateway packaged with sample code and guidelines?

Yes, Visual Basic sample code and a standard help file are included for your developers.


8. Does the SMS Gateway perform recovery and logging?

Yes. The Gateway will perform recovery on the subsequent restart if SMS were not
completely sent during the previous attempt.

No. Logging is not provided at this layer but developer can always design theirs on the
application layer.
9. Can your software do SMS message concatenation?

No. However, the software does supports Pagination, meaning to break up lengthy SMS
message into multiple ones. The recipient will eventually receive SMS messages with
episode tag in each SMS.


10. Is “Flash” supported?

Yes. The method to send a Flash SMS is exactly similar to how you send a conventional
SMS, with different attribute. Please note that this functionality is telco-dependant.


11. What is the SMS throughput rate?

The average throughput rate is 6 seconds per message. You can always increase the
throughput rate proportionally by using more modems.


12. How is your software licensed?

Our license is distributed on per modem basis. The license information is stored in the
local machine’s registry, together with settings such as serial port number and baud rate.


13. How can we configure the SMS Gateway to transmit sensitive information?

We usually don’t encourage our customer to transmit sensitive information via SMS, as
they are not encrypted.


14. How much will it cost to implement your solution?

We offer a direct pricing model. With a one-time payment of S$5000.00, you’ll get the
GSM modem, SMS Software and all the accessories required. A one-year free
maintenance (patches and bug fixing) will be provided to our clients, with the option to
opt for an extended maintenance support at 5% of the initial project from the second
year onwards.


15. What kind of support do we get from WorldRemind if we purchase you
    software?

   Enquires can be sent to Worldremind Technical support team via email or phone
   from Mon – Fri (9 am – 6 pm) excluding holidays. The WorldRemind Technical
   Support organization will endeavour to meet the following response goals:
 SEVERITY         DEFINITION                       RESPONSE               ESCALATION
                                                     GOAL
      1        SMS Gateway occurs error,        1 working day      Technical Support
               which cannot be reinstated                          Manager will be informed
               after restarting SMS                                immediately.
               application.
      2        SMS Gateway occurs error but     2 Working days     Technical Support
               operational after restarting                        Manager will be informed
               SMS application.                                    if issue becomes a
                                                                   severity 1.
      3        Customer informing               2 Working days     None
               WorldRemind of a problem,
               but feedback is not currently
               required. If customer decides
               that additional feedback is
               needed, customer should
               notify WorldRemind of this
               change in status.
      4        Patches and bug fixing will be   None               None
               made available to the customer
               at no cost as and when
               available

16. Which are the companies that are currently using your system?

Some of the corporations that have implemented this system with their own applications
are Coca-Cola, Ministry of Environment, TIBS Taxis, FM98, Ken Air, Ministry of
Manpower, Social Development Services, Action Theatre, NTU Dance Fiesta, City
Harvest Church and many more.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WORLDREMIND SMS GATEWAY AND OTHER SMS
GATEWAY

           WorldRemind                               Other gateways
Developed in standard ActiveX              Developers are required to bridge
Control Module. Application can            their application with the SMS
be developed on top of the                 Gateway, using unconventional
module                                     method.
Supports       all     programming         Developers are required to use
languages that work with ActiveX           middleware to communicate with
Control Module.                            the SMS Gateway.
Using RS232 cable to a COM                 Customization to bridge the
port, it is a plug and go device           application and SMS gateway
that    allows     for    immediate        could cost 1-5 working days.
deployment
Requires only one SMS Gateway              Might requires one gateway for
to send and receive SMS                    receiving and the other for
messages. Load balancing is also           sending SMS.
provided.
With support locally, you’ll be            Most supports       are    located
ensure of remedy solutions when            overseas.
you encounter any technical
problems
Upgraded      features     will be         Additional license will be charge
available to all our customers             for additional features
without additional cost


SOME APPLICATIONS BASED ON GSM SMS TECHNOLOGY

CONSUMER

1. Simple person messaging to messaging

Mobile phone users are able to communicate with each other with the use of SMS. Such
messages usually originated from the keypad on the mobile phones.

2. Voice and Fax notifications

This service is commonly use by telephone operators. When there is a voice or fax in the
inbox, a SMS alert will be sent to the users.

3. Unified Messaging

Unified Messaging involves a single interface where users can access information on the
various devices they have. The user will normally receive an alert via SMS when there is
a message in the unified messaging inbox.

4. Internet Email Alerts
A link to your email inbox, it provides an alert on your mobile the summary of the sender
and some information about the email you’ve received.

5. Ringtones & Chat

This module is a lifestyle platform for likeminded people to download music onto their
phone and communicate with people of similar interest.

6. Info-on-demand services

Any information that can be fit into the short message can be delivered via SMS. Some
of the examples of such applications are share prices, weather forecast, traffic
information, news, sports etc.
CORPORATE

1. Corporate Email

Similar to Internet Email Alerts, such a system is extended to corporations to keep touch
with all the mails coming in all times, even when they are away.

2. Affinity Program

A collaboration between the telephone operator and companies in the different industries
such as television, airlines, banks and clubs, SMS can be used to provide all kind of
reminders and information such as appointment reminders, frequent flyer mileage,
loyalty program etc.

3. Customer Service

SMS can be used to avoid costly person-to-person voice calls. By delivering account
status information, new service configuration and so on, some network operators find
significant financial justification for deploying a customer service on such a platform.

4. Vehicle Positioning

Any one with a Global Positioning System (GPS) can receive their satellite position and
find out where they are and SMS is seen as ideal for sending out GPS information such
as longitude, latitude, bearing and altitude.

5. Job Dispatch

Job dispatch companies actively use SMS to communicate and assign new jobs. The
message is normally send from a control center; from office-based staff to mobile-based
staff.

6. Remote Point of Sale

SMS can be used in a retail environment for credit card authorization. When connected
to a point of sale system, the credit card number is send to the bank for authorization
with the authorization code being returned as a short message to a point of sale
terminal.

7. Remote Monitoring

SMS can be used in a remote monitoring environment. This application provides people
with valuable information from a remote location when an important event occurs. The
information is delivered automatically without having to constantly employ physical
resources locally. E.g. An alert will be received when a vending machine runs out-of-
stock